[1] THE NEGRO CESAR'S CURE FOR POISON
Take the roots of plantane and wild hoarhound, fresh or dried, three
ounces, boil them together in two quarts of water to one quart, and
strain it; of this decoction let the patient take one third part,
three mornings fasting, successively, from which, if he finds any
relief, it must be continued until he is perfectly recovered. On the
contrary, if he finds no alteration after the third dose, it is a sign
that the patient has not been poisoned at all, or that it has been
with such poison that Cesar's antidote will not remedy, so may leave
off the decoction.
During the cure the patient must live on spare diet, and abstain from
eating mutton, pork, butter, or any other fat or oily food.
N. B. The plantane or hoarhound will either of them cure alone, but
they are most efficacious together.
In summer you may take one handful of the roots and of the branches of
each, in place of three ounces of the roots each.
For drink during the cure let them take the following: Take of the
roots of goldenrod, six ounces or in summer, two large handfuls of the
roots and branches together, and boil them in two quarts of water to
one quart, to which also may be added, a little hoarhound and
sassafras; to this decoction after it is strained, add a glass of rum
or brandy, and sweeten with sugar for ordinary drink.
Sometimes an inward fever attends such as are poisoned, for which he
ordered the following: Take one pint of wood ashes and three pints of
water, stir and mix well together, let them stand all night and strain
or decant the lye off in the morning, of which ten ounces may be taken
six mornings following, warmed or cold according to the weather.
These medicines have no sensible operation, though sometimes they work
on the bowels, and give a gentle stool.
The symptoms attending such as are poisoned, are as follows: A pain of
the breast, difficulty of breathing, a load at the pit of the stomach,
an irregular pulse, burning and violent pains of the viscera above and
below the navel, very restless at night, sometimes wandering pains
over the whole body, a reaching inclination to vomit, profuse sweats
(which prove always serviceable), slimy stools, both when costive and
loose, the face of pale and yellow color, sometimes a pain and
inflamation of the throat, the appetite is generally weak, and some
cannot eat anything; those who have been long poisoned are generally
very feeble and weak in their limbs, sometimes spit a great deal, the
whole skin peels, and lastly the hair falls off.
Cesar's cure for the bite of a rattlesnake: Take of the roots of
plantane or hoarhound (in summer roots and branches together), a
sufficient quantity; bruise them in a mortar, and squeeze out the
juice, of which give as soon as possible, one large spoonful; this
generally will cure; but if he finds no relief n an hour after you may
give another spoonful which never hath failed.
If the roots are dried they must be moistened with a little water.
To the wound may be applied a leaf of good tobacco, moistened with
rum.
_The Massachusetts Magazine_, IV, 103-104 (1792).
[2] _The Pennsylvania Gazette_, Sept. 11, 1740.
[3] _The City Gazette and Daily Advertiser_, June 22, 1797.
[4] _The Columbian Gazette_, II, 742-743.
[5] Delany, "Condition of the Colored People," 111.
[6] C. G. Woodson, "The Education of the Negro Prior to 1861."